Claims
- 1. A multifunctional case for receiving an axisymmetrical self-propelled projectile-marker beacon unit, said case comprising:
- storage and carrying means of generally concentric form about the axis of said axisymmetrical self-propelled projectile-marker beacon unit for storing and carrying same, and which completely encloses same until a removable top is displaced;
- said storage and carrying case means including a first alignment means for maintaining the projectile-marker beacon unit in a predetermined angular position relative thereto, said predetermined angular position being such that launching of the projectile-marker beacon unit is inhibited;
- launching means for launching said projectile-marker beacon unit from a launching base at a first elevation to a second elevation a predetermined distance above said first elevation, said launching means includes second alignment means for permitting the launching of said marker beacon and a triggering mechanism for executing the launching of said marker beacon; and
- keying means for preventing rotation of said projectile-marker beacon unit with respect to said storage and carrying case means when said marker beacon is completely enclosed therewithin.
- 2. A multifunctional case for a projectile-marker beacon unit according to claim 1 further comprising:
- said storage and carrying case means and said launching means comprise a launcher tube having an inner surface bore substantially axially coextensive with said projectile-marker beacon unit;
- said storage and carrying case means comprise a removable top cap for enclosing the top of said launcher tube; and
- said storage and carrying case means and said launching means comprise a base cap located at the base of said launcher tube, said base cap includes an axial aperture throughout the axial length of said base cap.
- 3. A multifunctional case for a projectile-marker beacon unit according to claim 2 wherein said first alignment means of said storage and carrying means further comprises:
- said launcher tube further includes a safe index marker and a safe aperture;
- said base cap further comprises an alignment aperture and an alignment index marker for placing said base cap alignment aperture over said launcher tube safe aperture when said launcher tube safe index marker is aligned with said base cap alignment index marker; and
- removable holding means for passing through said launcher tube safe aperture and said base cap alignment aperture for preventing rotation of said base cap with respect to said launch tube.
- 4. A multifunctional case for a projectile-marker beacon unit according to claim 3 wherein said second alignment means of said launching means further comprises:
- said launcher tube further includes an arm index marker and an arm aperture for placing said base cap alignment aperture over said launcher tube aperture when said launcher tube arm index marker is aligned with said base cap alignment index marker; and
- removable holding means for passing through said launcher tube arm alignment aperture and said base cap alignment aperture for preventing rotation of said base cap with respect to said launch tube.
- 5. A multifunctional case for a projectile-marker beacon unit according to claim 4 wherein said base cap further comprises said keying means for preventing rotation of said marker beacon with respect to said multifunctional case when said marker beacon is completely enclosed in said multifunctional case.
- 6. A multifunctional case for a projectile-marker beacon unit according to claim 5 wherein a mode of application of said projectile-beacon marker unit is floating said storage and carrying case means with said projectile-marker beacon unit received therein on the surface of a body of water, said multifunctional case further comprising:
- sea acclimation means for adapting said storage and carrying case unit and said projectile-marker beacon unit for such floating deployment;
- said sea acclimation means includes an inflatable bladder and a removable bladder cover located radially outward and covering a portion of said launcher tube;
- at least one flood aperture in said launcher tube at a location below said bladder; and
- a protective canopy for covering the top of said marker beacon.
- 7. A multifunctional case for receiving an axisymmetrical self-propelled projectile-marker beacon unit having propulsion capability for vertical flight above ambient foliage canopy conditions, said case comprising:
- storage and carrying means of generally concentric form about the axis of said axisymmetrical self-propelled projectile-marker beacon unit for storing and carrying same and which completely encloses same until a removable top is displaced;
- said storage and carrying case means including a first alignment means for maintaining it and the projectile-marker beacon unit in predetermined angular positions relative to one another in which launching of the projectile-marker beacon unit is inhibited;
- launching means for launching said projectile-marker beacon unit from a launching base so as to be able to have said projectile-marker beacon unit settle atop a foliage canopy, said launching means includes second alignment means for permitting the launching of said marker beacon and a triggering mechanism for executing the launching of said marker beacon; and
- keying means for preventing rotation of said projectile-marker beacon unit with respect to said storage and carrying case means when said marker beacon is completely enclosed therewithin.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
This patent application is co-pending with five related patent applications entitled Launcher Tube Deployed Marker Beacon Including Settlement Atop Foliage Feature, further identified as N.C. 74642 (Ser. No. 08/216,561); System for Broadcasting Marker Beacon Signals and Processing Responses from Seeking Entities, N.C. 74643 (Ser. No. 08/216,567); An Airborne System for Operation in Conjunction with a Marker Beacon, N.C. 74644 (Ser. No. 08/216,568); Ground Unit for the Detection, Identification, and Direction Determination of a Marker Beacon, N.C. 74645 (Ser. No. 08/216,560); and Flare-Antenna Unit for System in Which Flare Is Remotely Activated by Radio, N.C. 74949 (Ser. No. 08/216,569); all by the same inventors as this application.
US Referenced Citations (10)